Founded in 2006, Netroots Nation (NN) derives its name from the term “Netroots,” which refers mainly to the left-wing bloggers who “gathe[r] every day in the virtual world to raise their collective voice and proactively influence their government.” A project of Bloggerpower.org., which was incorporated in California in 2006 “to promote activism toward a progressive policy agenda,” NN provides a framework that enables such individuals to network and collaborate with one another.

The centerpiece of NN's activities is an annual convention featuring hundreds of guest speakers and presenters who address issues of concern to the political left. The first of these conventions—held in Las Vegas from June 8-11, 2006—was organized by readers and writers of the DailyKos blog, and was dubbed "YearlyKos." That inaugural event drew some 1,200 attendees, and featured appearances by prominent Democrats such as Barbara Boxer, General Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, Harry Reid, Bill Richardson, and former Virginia governor Mark Warner.

In 2008, YearlyKos was renamed "Netroots Nation" to better reflect the growing influence and membership of the Netroots as a whole, rather than just DailyKos. That year's convention was held in Austin, Texas from July 17-20. Presidential candidate Barack Obama addressed the attendees via a videotaped message.

Over the course of each year, NN holds a series of regional salons which, in conjunction with the annual convention, aim to “strengthen our [progressive] community, inspire action, and serve as an incubator for ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately affect change in the public sphere.”